"the media quipped ""[Blur] wound up winning the battle but losing the war."" Blur became perceived as an ""inauthentic middle class pop band"" in comparison to the ""working class heroes"" Oasis, which Albarn said made him feel ""stupid and confused"". Alex James later summarised, ""After being the People's Hero, Damon was the People's Prick for a short period ... basically, he was a loser – very publicly."" An early 1996 ""Q"" magazine interview revealed that relations between Blur members had become very strained; journalist Adrian Deevoy wrote that he found them ""on the verge of a nervous breakup"". Coxon, in"
"Damon Albarn Damon Albarn (; born 23 March 1968) is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the British rock band Blur as well as the co-founder, lead vocalist, instrumentalist, and principal songwriter of the virtual band Gorillaz. Raised in Leytonstone, East London and around Colchester, Essex, Albarn attended the Stanway School, where he met guitarist Graham Coxon and formed Blur, which released its debut album ""Leisure"" in 1991. After spending long periods touring the U.S., Albarn's songwriting became increasingly influenced by British bands from the 1960s. The result was ""Modern Life Is Rubbish"" (1993), ""Parklife"" (1994)"
"Graham Coxon Graham Leslie Coxon (born 12 March 1969) is an English musician, singer-songwriter and painter who came to prominence as a founding member of the rock band Blur. As the group's lead guitarist and secondary vocalist, Coxon is featured on seven of Blur's studio albums, from 1991's ""Leisure"" to 2015's ""The Magic Whip"", despite being absent from the group from 2002 to 2008 owing to a dispute with the other members during the recording of 2003's ""Think Tank"". He has also led a solo career since 1998. As well as being a musician, Coxon is a visual artist: he"
"annual music prize awarded for the best album from the United Kingdom and Ireland. Nominations are chosen by a panel of musicians, music executives, journalists and other figures in the music industry in the UK and Ireland. Damon Albarn Damon Albarn (; born 23 March 1968) is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the British rock band Blur as well as the co-founder, lead vocalist, instrumentalist, and principal songwriter of the virtual band Gorillaz. Raised in Leytonstone, East London and around Colchester, Essex, Albarn attended the Stanway School, where he met guitarist Graham Coxon and formed"
"Blur discography The discography of English alternative rock band Blur consists of eight studio albums, five live albums, five compilation albums, one remix album, two video albums, four extended plays, twenty-nine singles, eight promotional singles and thirty music videos. Formed in London in 1988, the group consists of singer/keyboardist Damon Albarn, guitarist/singer Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Three years later, their debut release, the Madchester and shoegazing-tinged ""Leisure"" (1991), peaked at number seven on the UK Albums Chart. ""Modern Life Is Rubbish"" (1993) inaugurated the Britpop phase of their career. Its multi-Platinum follow-ups ""Parklife"" (1994) and"
"Britpop. The dominant musical force of the period was the grunge invasion from the United States, which filled the void left in the indie scene by The Stone Roses' inactivity. Blur, however, took on an Anglocentric aesthetic with their second album ""Modern Life Is Rubbish"" (1993). Their new approach was inspired by a tour of the United States in the spring of 1992. During the tour, frontman Damon Albarn began to resent American culture and found the need to comment on that culture's influence seeping into Britain. Justine Frischmann, formerly of Suede and leader of Elastica (and at the time"
"Joe Strummer John Graham Mellor (21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002), known by his stage name Joe Strummer, was an English musician, singer, actor and songwriter who was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the Clash, a rock band formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Their second album, ""Give 'Em Enough Rope"" (1978) reached number 2 on the UK charts. Soon after, they achieved success in the US, starting with ""London Calling"" (1979), and peaking with 1982's ""Combat Rock"", reaching number 7 on the US charts and being certified 2×"
"after changing their name to Blur, they signed to Food Records. In October 1990, Blur released their first single, ""She's So High"", which reached number 48 in the UK Singles Chart. The band had trouble creating a follow-up single, but made progress when paired with producer Stephen Street. The resulting single, ""There's No Other Way"", became a hit, peaking at number eight. As a result of the single's success, Blur became pop stars and were accepted into a clique of bands who frequented the Syndrome club in London dubbed the ""Scene That Celebrates Itself"". The recording of the group's debut"
"mysterious disappearance of his beloved Dodge convertible. Books Films and documentaries Joe Strummer John Graham Mellor (21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002), known by his stage name Joe Strummer, was an English musician, singer, actor and songwriter who was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the Clash, a rock band formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Their second album, ""Give 'Em Enough Rope"" (1978) reached number 2 on the UK charts. Soon after, they achieved success in the US, starting with ""London Calling"" (1979), and peaking with 1982's ""Combat Rock"","
"Blur (Blur album) Blur is the fifth studio album by the English rock band of the same name, released on 10 February 1997 by Food Records. Blur had previously been broadly critical of American popular culture and their previous albums had become associated with the Britpop movement, particularly ""Parklife"" (1994), which had helped them become one of Britain's leading pop acts. After their previous album, ""The Great Escape"", the band faced media backlash and relationships between the members became strained. Under the suggestion of the band's guitarist, Graham Coxon, the band underwent a stylistic change, becoming influenced by American indie"
"The set used was modeled on that in the video for their pre-breakthrough single ""Popscene"". All music composed by Albarn, Coxon, James and Rowntree. All lyrics composed by Albarn. Purple 7"" CD1 CD2 International CD Japan Tour CD 2012 Brit Awards Song 2 ""Song 2"" (often mistakenly titled as ""Woo Hoo"") is a song by British rock band Blur, the second track from their 1997 eponymous fifth studio album. The hook features Damon Albarn yelling ""woo-hoo!"" as the distorted bass comes in. Released in April 1997, ""Song 2"" reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, number four on the"
"of Blur, then known as Seymour, did their first recordings. His first band was the synthpop group, Two's a Crowd. Before Blur, he played with The Aftermath and Real Lives. Albarn enrolled on a part-time music course at London's Goldsmiths College in 1988, claiming that his sole intention was to gain access to the student union bar. Albarn was in a group named Circus alongside Coxon and drummer Dave Rowntree. Alex James, a fellow student at Goldsmiths, eventually joined as the group's bassist. They changed their name to Seymour in December 1988, inspired by J.D. Salinger's ""."" In March 1990,"
"days after the ""100 Greatest TV Ads"" poll from Channel 4 and ""The Sunday Times"" aired on the former. Furthermore, many other albums with a similar concept followed from other labels, including ""Switched On"" from rival label Telstar, ""Classic Ads"" from Universal, ""Commercial Breaks"" from Beechwood Music and the similarly titled ""Commercial Break"" from Castle Music. The series was immensely popular, and all of the volumes performed well in the album charts. The series started to become subject to popular culture parodies, as spoof band Shirehorses titled their first album from 1997 ""The worst...album in the world...ever...EVER!"". Blur, who appeared"
"of his break-up with Elastica frontwoman Justine Frischmann, his partner of eight years. Recording for Blur's next album began in London in November 2001. Not long after the sessions began, Coxon left the group. Coxon stated ""there were no rows"" and ""[the band] just recognised the feeling that we needed some time apart"". ""Think Tank"", released in May 2003, was filled with atmospheric, brooding electronic sounds, featuring simpler guitar lines played by Albarn, and largely relying on other instruments to replace Coxon. The guitarist's absence also meant that ""Think Tank"" was almost entirely written by Albarn. Its sound was seen"
"quarter-of-an-hour too long"". ""13"" debuted at the top of the UK charts, staying at that position for two weeks. The album's lead single, the gospel-based ""Tender"", opened at the second spot on the charts. After ""Coffee & TV"", the first Blur single to feature Coxon on lead vocals, only reached number 11 in the UK, manager Chris Morrison demanded a chart re-run because of what he deemed was a sales miscalculation. In July 1999, in celebration of their tenth anniversary, Blur released a 22-CD limited edition box-set of their singles. The accompanying tour saw Blur play the A-sides of the"
"recording. Blur released two singles ""The Puritan"" and ""Under the Westway"" on 2 July. That August, Blur headlined a show at Hyde Park for the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony which was followed by a world tour the very next year. On 19 February 2015, Blur announced on social media that they would be releasing their eighth studio album on 27 April, titled ""The Magic Whip"", Blur's first album in 12 years and first in 16 years in their original line-up. Albarn and Jamie Hewlett met in 1990 when Coxon, a fan of Hewlett's work, asked him to interview Blur."
"subsequently replaced by Paul Wigens. Eagles was replaced by Chris Vine as guitarist from 1990 to 1994, and returned to the band following Vine's departure. Wigens was briefly replaced by Charles Hayward between May and October 2001 before returning to the band, before departing the band for good in 2005. His replacement was Bob Leith (of Cardiacs), who stayed with the band until 2008, at which time he was replaced by the band's current drummer Dave Aylward. Most of Blurt's compositions feature simple, repetitive, minimalistic guitar and/or saxophone phrases, but they can also explore more abstract musical territories, often serving"
"electronic sounds, featuring simpler guitar lines played by Albarn, and largely relying on other instruments to replace Coxon. The guitarist's absence also meant that ""Think Tank"" was almost entirely written by Albarn. Its sound was seen as a testament to Albarn's increasing interest in African and Middle Eastern music, and to his complete control over the group's creative direction. ""Think Tank"" was yet another UK number one and managed Blur's highest US position of number 56. It was also nominated for best album at the 2004 Brit Awards. The band did a successful tour in 2003, with former Verve guitarist"
"Blurt Blurt is an English post-punk band, founded in 1979 in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Blurt was founded in 1979 in Stroud, Gloucestershire by poet, saxophonist and puppeteer Ted Milton along with Milton's brother Jake, formerly of psychedelic group Quintessence, on drums and Peter Creese on guitar. After three albums Creese left the band to be replaced by Herman Martin on synthesizers who, after a year of constant touring left the band, and was replaced by Steve Eagles, former member of Satan's Rats, The Photos and Bang Bang Machine. Shortly thereafter Jake Milton left to be replaced by Nic Murcott, who was"
"access to Pledger-Only items. In 2018 Glover teamed up with guitarist George Lynch, drummer Chris Moore, and bassist Pancho Tomaselli to form the rock group Ultraphonix. Corey Glover Corey Glover (born November 6, 1964) is an American singer, guitarist and actor. He is the lead vocalist of the rock band Living Colour and has toured as the vocalist for the funk band Galactic. As an actor, he played Francis in the 1986 war movie ""Platoon"". Glover was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He was an aspiring actor when guitarist Vernon Reid drafted him into Living Colour in 1985, reportedly"
"with 'Right Here Right Now'. A year after signing Jesus Jones they signed Blur. Balfe, along with later label partner Andy Ross, convinced the band to change their name from 'Seymour' to Blur on signing in 1989. Balfe also directed Blur's first two music videos, ""She's So High"" and ""There's No Other Way"". Disenchanted with the alternative scene in the years of ""Grunge"", Balfe decided to sell the Food label to EMI in 1994, and semi-retire with his young family to the country – inspiring Damon Albarn to pen Blur's first No.1 hit, ""Country House"". After two years of living"
"the band under contentious circumstances to pursue a solo career. Despite the change, original members Michael Currier (saxophone and backing vocals), Stuart Berk (lead guitar), Chris Tilden (bass), and Matt Lydon (drums) chose to continue performing under the Averi name with Golarz singing songs that Perrone had written, recorded, and performed with the band previously. Despite a generally positive opinion of Golarz's voice shared among fans on the band's website forums and social media, fan-written reviews of Averi performances during Golarz's tenure were mixed. A recurring theme in reviews held that the band's performances of some of popular pre-Golarz era"
"performance that convinced him to court the group for his label. The only concern held by Ross and Food was that they disliked the band's name. Food drew up a list of alternatives, from which the group decided on ""Blur"". Food Records finally signed the newly christened band in March 1990. From March to July 1990, Blur toured Britain, opening for the Cramps, and testing out new songs. In October 1990, after their tour was over, Blur released the ""She's So High"" single, which reached number 48 in the UK Singles Chart. The band had trouble creating a follow-up single,"
"about-face of their attitude during the Britpop years. Despite cries of ""commercial suicide"", the album and its first single, ""Beetlebum"", debuted at number one in the UK. Although the album could not match the sales of their previous albums in the UK, ""Blur"" became the band's most successful internationally, particularly in the US, helped by the successful single, ""Song 2"". After the success of ""Blur"", the band embarked on a nine-month world tour. Released in March 1999, Blur's sixth studio album ""13"" saw them drift further away from Britpop. Albarn's lyrics—more heart-felt, personal and intimate than on previous occasions—were reflective"
"with rivals Oasis in 1995 dubbed the ""Battle of Britpop"". In recording their follow-up, ""Blur"" (1997), the band underwent another reinvention, showing influence from the lo-fi style of American indie rock groups. The band's third UK number one album, ""Blur"" included the ""Song 2"" single, which brought them mainstream success in the US. Their next album, ""13"" (1999) saw the band members experimenting with electronic and gospel music, and featured more personal lyrics from Albarn. In May 2002, Coxon left Blur during the recording of their seventh album ""Think Tank"" (2003). Containing electronic sounds and more minimal guitar work, the"
"a long list of favourite bars, including the Groucho Club and The Colony Room. Alex James (musician) Steven Alexander James, FRSA (born 21 November 1968) is an English musician and songwriter, as well as a journalist and cheesemaker. Best known as the bassist of the band Blur, he has also played with temporary bands Fat Les, Me Me Me, WigWam and Bad Lieutenant. James was born in Boscombe, Bournemouth and attended the state grammar school Bournemouth School for boys, where he started playing in bands. In 1988, James met future bandmate Graham Coxon at Goldsmiths College, where James studied French."
"""Mojo"" in 2000, ""There was nothing more important in my life."" Albarn felt the popularity American grunge music was enjoying in Britain at the time would soon run out of steam, and argued that Blur would embody a renaissance of classic British pop on their next album. Although the singer felt Blur had finally found their musical identity, not everybody was convinced with Albarn's new British-centric manifesto. Food Records owner David Balfe, in particular, strongly disagreed, and got into fierce arguments with Albarn over the proposed change in Blur's image. After the still-sceptical Balfe finally relented, Food warily gave Blur"
"Alex James (musician) Steven Alexander James, FRSA (born 21 November 1968) is an English musician and songwriter, as well as a journalist and cheesemaker. Best known as the bassist of the band Blur, he has also played with temporary bands Fat Les, Me Me Me, WigWam and Bad Lieutenant. James was born in Boscombe, Bournemouth and attended the state grammar school Bournemouth School for boys, where he started playing in bands. In 1988, James met future bandmate Graham Coxon at Goldsmiths College, where James studied French. Introductions with Coxon's old school friend Damon Albarn and Dave Rowntree soon took place;"
"Jaime St. James Jaime St. James is the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the glam metal band Black 'N Blue. He also served briefly in the mid-2000s as the lead singer of Warrant, but he left upon the return of the band's original lead singer Jani Lane in 2008. He sang (and co-wrote several tracks) on Warrant's 2006 album ""Born Again"". Born James Pond, St. James started out playing drums, as he had fantasized about being a rock drummer during his youth. He began his professional music career while a student at Cleveland High School, where he and classmates"
"written by Albarn, Coxon, James and Rowntree. Popscene ""Popscene"" is a song by English alternative rock band Blur, released as a non-album single on 30 March 1992. Despite its relatively low chart placing, it has since become critically praised and regarded as one of the pioneering songs of the Britpop genre. The song was first played live in Autumn 1991, and recorded at Matrix Studios in Holborn with producer Steve Lovell. The lyrics showed frontman Damon Albarn's distaste for the music business, complaining that there were too many insignificant indie bands. Musically, it was different to the style seen on"
"Corey Glover Corey Glover (born November 6, 1964) is an American singer, guitarist and actor. He is the lead vocalist of the rock band Living Colour and has toured as the vocalist for the funk band Galactic. As an actor, he played Francis in the 1986 war movie ""Platoon"". Glover was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He was an aspiring actor when guitarist Vernon Reid drafted him into Living Colour in 1985, reportedly after seeing Glover singing ""Happy Birthday"" at a friend's party. He had appeared in a recruiting commercial for the United States Army, as Pvt. Francis in"
"Eric Bloom Eric Jay Bloom (born December 1, 1944) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist, ""stun guitar"" and keyboard/synthesizer player for the long-running band Blue Öyster Cult, with work on more than 20 albums. Much of his lyrical content relates to his lifelong interest in science fiction. A native New Yorker, Bloom was born in Brooklyn, the youngest of three children, and grew up in Queens. His mother was a housewife, active in local charities and family life. His father ran a picture frame and print company in (Manhattan) Bloom attended"
"the more folk-or-jazz-influenced songs; and Kerry Minnear (who had a particularly delicate voice) sang the lighter folk and chamber-classical lead vocals. Minnear did not sing lead vocals at live concerts, because of his inability to support and project his voice at a level suitable for live amplification (Derek and Phil Shulman handled Minnear's lead vocal parts when the band played live). It has been reported that Elton John unsuccessfully auditioned for lead vocalist with the newly formed group. According to a booklet that was included in their first album, the band's name was a reference to a fictional character, a"